Experience Tortola

Overview

Tortola is the epitome of a tranquil tropical paradise, it is the capital island, and also the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands archipelago. The Island boasts several impressive powdery soft white sand beaches that lap around the coast along with arresting blue azure waters. The islands feature a verdant mountainous interior with its highest peak Mount Sage soaring to 1,740 feet above sea level offering walking and hiking trails along with breathtaking views over neighboring cays. The island blends ancient ruins, historic settlements, stately beachfront villas, stunning white beaches, exclusive beach clubs, iridescent lagoons, majestic natural beauty, and lush interiors.  

Things to see and do

Take an exploratory walk around the capital; Road Town, Main Street here is home to many cafes, shops, restaurants, galleries, and bars. Wander around and stop into the shops, and maybe pick a restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by a refreshing tropical cocktail such as the island`s famed `Painkiller`. 

Spend a day at the beach; Cane Garden Bay is said to be the finest beach on the island, nestled under verdant hills, it boasts soft white sand in a secluded bay lined by swaying palm trees. Relax on the beach, soak up the sun, and cool off in the tranquil turquoise waters. There are plenty of watersport activities and sailing adventures along with boating, kayaking, snorkeling, and jet skiing. It's also a great beach to watch the sunset, and Cane Garden is a happening place after dark with happy hours aplenty, live music,  bustling bars, and great restaurants to enjoy with a fun laid-back atmosphere.

Go Sailing!! Tortola is known as the sailing capital of the world, and its luxury yacht-filled harbors are located in Road Town. There are many opportunities to get out on the water with a sailing charter. Take a romantic sunset sail and soak up the island from the stunning surrounding turquoise waters.

Head to Sage Mountain, which reaches 1,716 feet above sea level on Tortola, it is the highest peak in all of the Virgin Islands. The mountain is home to the first national park established on B.V. Island, which sits 1,000 feet above sea level. The park is filled with lush verdant rainforests, a plethora of trees like hanging vines, ferns, cedar, and mahogany, colorful flowers, and tropical birds. Walk or hike along the 12 looped trails which lead to some magnificent sweeping viewpoints. 

Check out Rhone National Park, via a dive trip or boat tour to where the shipwrecked RMS Rhone lies below the surface. A British mail steamer wrecked against the rocks during a hurricane in 1867, the intact vessel sits off the southwest coast of Salt Island, and today is one of the island's best diving sites. Divers can swim inside the coral-encrusted bow of the old ship and see schools of snappers, grunts, soldierfish, parrotfish, and other marine life like turtles, eels, and lobsters. The marine park also includes two coral caves that sit 85 feet below sea level, and Blonde Rock, another premier dive site through tunnels and caves.

Visit Norman Isle, situated 32 miles across the Drake Channel from Tortola, an uninhabited island once used as a pirate den with treasure ships back in the 18th century. Norman Isle is said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's `Treasure Island`. There are a series of caves that can be explored via a dinghy and some of the best snorkeling spots of the B.V.I. where vibrant fish, eels, octopus, squid, and colorful coral can be seen. 

Go Island Hopping!! There are some striking islands and cays that surround Tortola leading to many miles of hidden beaches, charming hidden bays, and crystal clear waters filled with marine life. Virgin Gorda Islands is home to the famed ‘Baths’, a natural wonder at the bottom of a hill where visitors can wade or swim through colorful natural coves and caves. There are massive gray granite boulders rising from crystal clear waters leading to the ‘Cathedral Room’, a natural pool found within a small cave. The delightful Devil’s Bay is a stunning stretch of sand found at the end of the rocks perfect for sunbathing and relaxing in the warm sunshine and cooling off in the wonderful waters. 

Anegada Islandis the only coral island located in the Virgin Islands. The island is surrounded by a stunning maze of coral that extends for miles offshore, this area is great for reef bonefishing, and diving with many shipwrecks found off the coast. There are salt ponds, cacti, wild orchids, and plants found on this island, it is also home to flamingos, and rock iguanas. There are some serene bays here like Loblolly Bay and Cow Wreck Bay Beach, and the entire island is protected by Horseshoe Reef, which is one of the largest reef systems in the world. 

Jost Van Dyke is undeniably one of the most out-of-this-world islands in the BVI, it is home to the breathtaking White Beach, one of the most popular and beautiful of the islands. Jost Van Dyke is recognized for the sheer verdant hills plunging to the bright white sands. The beach is sheltered by a barrier reef which protects the waters from waves or swells. The tranquil tropical turquoise waters here are great for swimming and snorkeling. There are some great local bars and restaurants by the beach as well as the bustling Great Harbor which is buzzing with activity.

Shopping

Main Street in the capital of Road Town is lined with different stores offering shoppers plenty of opportunities including handicraft stores, upscale boutiques, and souvenir-type stores. Pick up local jams, spices, rums, and soaps for handcrafted jewelry, silk-screened fabrics, and local artwork along with other imported goods. Crafts Alive is an open-air market found in the heart of Road Town, made up of old-fashioned West Indian-style buildings. The market is a popular place to pick up local crafts such as Caribbean dolls, hats, doilies, and T-shirts. There are plenty of local spices found at Sunny Caribbee Spice Co on Main Street, specializing in Caribbean spices, teas, seasonings, and condiments. Serendipity Bookshop is also found on Main Street, a fully stocked bookstore and the only one of its kind on the island with a roti palace restaurant upstairs serving delicious curries. Pusser`s General Store is also on Main Street and the local post office where you can pick up unique island stamps. The general store is located along the waterfront, it's an English tavern selling souvenirs and Pusser`s Blue Label Rum.

Beaches

The many beaches of Tortola are simply beautiful and breathtaking, there are several to explore, each having their unique characteristics. Cane Garden Bay is undoubtedly one of the finest beaches with soft white sand covering a secluded bay and swaying tropical palm trees. Beachfront rum shacks and restaurants line the beach and is a popular day trip for cruise ship passengers. Smugglers Cove is situated at the extreme western end of the island featuring a crescent strip of sugary sand and lapped by tranquilizing turquoise waters. Apple Bay is a popular surfing spot, situated west of Cane Garden Bay on North Shore Road, surfing conditions are best in January and February. Josiah`s Bay Beach is nestled on the northern coast at the base of Buta Mountain. A long stretch of golden sand curves around the bay with some great waves during the winter months, it is very secluded during the summer months. Long Bay Beach is a mile-long stretch of golden sands great for beach strolls. Rouges Bay is tucked away on the islands’ northshore and can only be reached by foot or boat. It is a wildly remote beach perfect for a relaxing day under the sunshine and beautiful blue-green waters for swimming and snorkeling. 

Cuisine

The typical food served in Tortola includes plenty of freshly caught fish and seafood and tons of tasty local authentic Caribbean fair. The official dish of the British Virgin Islands is `fish and fungi` okra and cornmeal boiled with butter made into a flat cake and served with braised fish with vegetables and local spices. Most of the island's dining options are found in the main towns like Road Town and are nestled along the beaches. Plenty of upscale dining options are available, mostly found in the more luxurious resorts and hotels on the island. Tortola has some fantastic authentic beachside shacks and stalls that are well worth checking out, they serve up delicious fresh food and cold beverages, perfect for your beach day. Some of the local classics on Tortola include West Indian roti, a savory pastry stuffed with curried chicken or goat, potatoes, peas, and carrots wrapped up in a light fluffy dough. Pates are in abundance in Tortola, made up of spiced meats and vegetables with flatbread, and Johnny Cakes, a fried dough made with cornmeal and other fillings. Try soursop, the spiky fruit is abundant in Tortola, a citrusy flavor with a creamy texture made into a popular fruit juice.

Nightlife

There are plenty of happening nightlife spots to check out on Tortola where the beer and most notably rum flow throughout the evenings. Red Stripe and Carib are the most popular and well-known local beers, you can find these served ice cold at many roadside and beachside stands. Rum Punch and the famous Painkiller are two of the most popular cocktails on the islands. Road Town offers the largest concentration of bars and eateries on the island, with other good locations dotted around the island. Road Town has bars, clubs, sports bars, and pubs, plus many resorts and hotels have their own onsite bars, restaurants, and live entertainment. Beach Bars are some of the main go-to’s on Tortola with popular hangouts like Bomba Shack in Apple Bay,a very fun and authentic beachside surf shack where full moon parties take place.